jstovall

Well we put the plate in the water finally. and here are the results and changes we think need to be made. May omit some or forget to mention all, but it was over a few beers.

Used a 5 mm suit, 3 mm hood and gloves, 40 cu ft BO, and canister light-needed NO extra weight to get down. This was a fresh water dive 60 ft for 30 min to check unit and plate out, besides for southern divers, 53 degree F water temp/50 degree air temp, wind blowing like we are in Chicago, it was COLD. Unit trimmed out fairly well. Could stay horizontal easily, no effort. Then we added a 1 pound ankle weight to strap at top of plate and just a squirt of air to BC and was head down feet up stone cold stable in the water. It was nice to see and feel. Cowling didn't move much at all. We didn't bang or pull on it in water, but was tight before and after the dive. Tanks stayed in place. After giant stride off dock, approx 1 ft from water, no movement or sliding was noted, hooray for innertubes. Wish we had better straps to hold tanks in place and still use cowling.

Lower tank strap wing needs to come up 1 1/2- 2 inches, as the strap comes over the tank right at neck. half on neck and half on cylinder, would like the entire strap to be on the tank. But now we take away a little space of bucket grasping area. I don't think it should affect bucket removal.

Going to extend the but plate area down 2-2 1/2 inches. May also weld a small 1 in angle to the back for cowling rest and attachment point with zuess clip or something similar. But the plate does need to be extended.

And for all PRISM divers out there that really like the stock harness system and BC from SMI, we figured out that we can place 6 holes in the plate and mount the harness and BC from SMI directly to this plate just as the black one mounts to it.

Still working on a Head protection piece that would just clip in place on this plate. We have another good idea but need to think on it a bit, different from the one i discussed with you earlier Stefan. We think its better.

All in all the unit was very comfortable in the water. felt just as it did in training and other dives. Probably not heavy enough for dry suit, not sure if we will need any weight in salt water, but will throw in a couple of pounds in each CL pocket, or strap to BP up high.

Going to Dive the Mighty "O" this weekend. taking unit. Will let you know how it goes, might even bring some pics back to post. Safe Diving.

James